Page 6 - DeKalb NCG 2020

About DeKalb

DeKalb County

Past, Present & Future

DeKalb County is a growing international
community with a robust labor pool.
In fact, DeKalb is the most ethnically diverse
county in the Southeastern United States. It
is home to innovative industry leaders, highly
respected colleges and universities, and
exceptional workforce training programs –
all culminating to create an environment
where businesses and residents thrive.

Starting as an agrarian community almost
200 years ago, DeKalb County has grown from
a sleepy community of 2,500 to Georgia’s fourth SPLOST
largest county. Rooted in the heart of Metro Improving Transportation & Public Safety
Atlanta, DeKalb has four major interstates and In 2017, voters approved a Special Purpose Local
sits minutes away from the world’s busiest airport Option Sales Tax (SPLOST). The current SPLOST
will run until 2024, during which it is expected to
– Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.
generate $636 million for capital improvements
The county ranks third in total labor force with for the county and city governments of DeKalb
proximity to 1.7 million people from six counties, County. DeKalb’s SPLOST is unique in that it exempts
unprepared food and prescription medication from
and the median household income is well
the additional sales tax. DeKalb also requires 85
above the state average. DeKalb County’s strong percent of the SPLOST monies be spent specifically
economy and employment base continue to on transportation and public safety-related projects.
expand, driving growth throughout the region.

TIMELINE
The History of DeKalb County

1822 1853 1864 1865-
1900

DeKalb becomes the Fulton County was created – Much of the Battle of Subsistence farmers
56th county in Georgia. until then, the entire Atlanta takes place around become businessmen, and
city of Atlanta was in the DeKalb County agriculture becomes
DeKalb County. Courthouse and a major economic force
along DeKalb Avenue. in the county, along with
granite quarrying.

4 DeKalb Chamber of Commerce 404-378-8000 DeKalbChamber.org